Healthcare professionals... I have a bone to pick with you 💉💊🩺
I may be biased here, I do see it all in the ER. But you know what I see ALL of the time?
Overuse of antibiotics.
It’s like an ongoing trend that won’t die.
I am a doctor, OF COURSE I believe in the power of antibiotics when indicated, and that will vary based on patient history, test results, and diagnosis.
What I don’t believe in, is throwing antibiotics at symptoms that are likely due to a virus.
I don’t believe in improper antibiotic use (an antibiogram should be followed- it helps dictate what should be a first choice based on resistance in the community).
I definitely don’t believe in giving a patient antibiotics without counseling them about WHY I am giving them.
And I don’t believe in letting them leave without counseling them on why they may not need them.
And there is GOOD evidence to support why I choose to prescribe antibiotics only when indicated.
Because they cause side effects. Diarrhea, gut infections, allergic reactions, and so many more. Bacteria become smarter, with development of resistance to our drugs.
I’m not trying to put blame on anyone, but it starts with education. And with providers having thick skin and being able to say NO, and then working at how to deliver their WHY so that a patient understands it. Truthfully, a lot of the problem is that this business has become about customer service. Bad reviews on yelp when you’re trying to do the right thing. It’s SO sad for me to hear from providers that they feel attacked and like they owe their “customer” something, or else. But I encourage providers still to educate, and set expectations. It’s so much harder to undo the wrong thing, than it is to do the right thing from the start.
We’re still going to get “my doctor didn’t do anything for me”. But you know what? It’s not the patient’s place to know. It’s mine. My responsibility to look after their best interest whether they like it or not.
Patients- bring questions with you but for the love of all that is mighty... don’t bring demands from Dr Google’s office.
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